Binder applicator movable support apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method are provided for movably supporting a binder applicator assembly of a glass fiber forming apparatus to position the applicator assembly remote from the glass fiber forming apparatus for servicing of the applicator assembly and to return the applicator assembly to its operation position. The apparatus for movably supporting the applicator assembly comprises a stationary support frame, a movable block on which the applicator is mounted, and a hydraulically-actuated device for lowering and raising the movable block and the applicator assembly.

June 18, 1974 A. PETERSEN BINDER APPLICATOR MOVABLE SUPPORT APPARATUS AND METHOD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001:. 26. 1972 June 18, 1974 S PETERSEN 3,817,728

BINDER APPLICATOR MOVABLE SUPPORT APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Oct. 26. 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O 3 817,728 BINDER APPLICA'IOR MOVABLE SUPPORT APPARATUS AND NIETHOD Svend Aage Petersen, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Johns- Manville Corporation, Greenwood Village, Arapahoe County, Colo.

Filed Oct. 26, 1972, Ser. No. 300,926 Int. Cl. C03b 37/00 US. Cl. 65-3 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus and method are provided for movably supporting a binder applicator assembly of a glass fiber forming apparatus to position the applicator assembly remote from the glass fiber forming apparatus for servicing of the applicator assembly and to return the applicator assembly to its operation position. The apparatus for m'ovably supporting the applicator assembly comprises a stationar support frame, a movable block on which the applicator is mounted, and a hydraulically-actuated device for lowering and raising the movable block and the applicator assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In glass fiber forming processes, for example, the direct melt process, molten glass is fed through minute orifices in electrically heated bushings to form fine streams of glass material which are attenuated into fine glass filaments by the pulling action of filament Winding apparatus located in spaced relation to and directly below the electrically heated bushings. Positioned between each electrically heated bushing and winding apparatus is an applicator assembly which applies a liquid, such as a binder or sizing material, to the individual glass filaments. For the proper functioning of the above-mentioned equipment, it is necessary that the electrically heated bushing be positioned well above the floor level of the work area involved; for example, approximately 10 to 11 feet above the floor level. The applicator assembly is then located in its operating position, directly below the electrically heated bushing at, for example, approximately 7 feet above the floor level of the working area, and the winding assembly is located at floor level directly below both the electrically heated bushing and the applicator assembly.

Access to the applicator assembly is periodically necessary for the purpose of servicing the applicator assembly. Some types of servicing that might be required are maintenance, cleaning, repair and replacement of parts. Servicing is normally performed manually by an operator. Because of the positioning of the applicator assembly, access presents a sizable problem. A common approach to gaining access for the purpose of serving the applicator assembly has been simply to leave the applicator assembly in its operating position and service it at that location with the assistance of, for example, a stepladder.

The problems presented by this approach are numerous.

: With the applicator assembly located directly below the electrically heated bushing, an operator servicing the applicator assembly will risk contact with the electrically heated bushings which operate at a temperature in excess of 2000" F. and retain sufiicient heat to be dangerous long after shutdown of the fiber forming apparatus. A further danger exists from the presence of hot or semimolten glass beads on the bushing which may dislodge and fall on an operator while he is located directly below the bushing. Also, the presence of the winding apparatus directly below the applicator assembly greatly inconveniences an operator in his attempt to gain access to the applicator assembly in its operating position. Likewise, some types of servicing of the applicator assembly in its operating posi- 7 3,817,728 Patented June 18, 1974 ice tion, such as cleaning, can result in the soiling of the winding assembly, thereby creating the additional task of cleaning the winding assembly whenever the applicator assembly requires cleaning.

A partial solution to this problem of access to the applicator assembly is presented in US. Pat. No. 2,728,972 to Drummond et al., issued Jan. 3, 1956, which discloses a swing support for an applicator assembly which permits rotation of the applicator assembly out of alignment with the electrically heated bushing and the winding apparatus. However, this partial solution does not lessen the difficulties encountered by an operator attempting to service an applicator assembly located well above the floor level of the operating area, for example, approximately 7 feet. An operator in such a situation will require some type of assistance, for example, a stepladder, to reach the applicator assembly. To require an operator to service an applicator assembly from a stepladder is fraught with inherent dangers and inconveniences, such as, for example, the difliculty of supplying tools and equipment to an operator working from a stepladder.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a simple, convenient, eflicient, and economical apparatus and method for lowering an applicator assembly from an operating position high above the door level of the glass fiber forming area to a nonoperating position accessible to an operator and for returning the applicator assembly to its operating position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means to stop and locate the applicator assembly accurately in its operating position as it is being returned to its operating position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention satisfies the above-identified objects, overcomes the difl'lculties of the prior art, and provides easy access for the purpose of servicing the applicator assembly by providing apparatus and method for lowering the applicator assembly to a position accessible to an operator. Lowering the applicator assembly both removes it from the immediate vicinity of the electrically heated bushing to avoid potentially dangerous contact with the hot bushing or hot glass beads falling from the bushing and removes it to an elevation accessible to an operator without the assistance of a stepladder. The present invention also provide for removal of the applicator assembly from alignment with the electrically heated bushing and with the winding assembly to avoid soiling of the winding apparatus during servicing of the applicator assembly. The above advantages of the present invention are accomplished by providing an apparatus for supporting the binder and sizing applicator assembly comprising a stationary support frame, a movable mounting block on which the applicator assembly is mounted, and means for mechanically lowering the movable mounting block and the applicator assembly to a nonoperating position accessible to an operator and raising the applicator assembly to return it to its operating position. The means for lowering and raising the movable mounting block and the applicator assembly comprises an enclosed, hydraulically actuated cylinder. The use of an enclosed, self-contained hydraulic cylinder avoids the problems created by the abrasive hot glass and binder or sizing material attacking the lowering and raising mechanism. The support apparatus further includes means for rotating the applicator assemblyabout two horizontal axes perpendicular to each other, and means to stop and locate the applicator assembly accurately as it is being returned to its operating position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the applicator assembly support apparatus, supporting the applicator assembly in a spaced relationship with the electrically heated fiber forming bushing.

FIG. 2 is an end view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing, in solid lines, the applicator assembly with portions broken away being held in its operative position and, in phantom lines, the applicator assembly lowered and roated 90 FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3..

' DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the drawings, specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, the terminal portion of a glass-melting furnace 1, for example, a forehearth of the direct melt process, is shown supporting an electrically heated bushing 2 which includes orifices 3 through which the molten glass is drawn to form individual glass fibers 4. Located directly below the electrically heated bushing 2 is a binder or sizing applicator assembly 5 positioned such that an applicator roll 6 directly contacts the glass fibers 4. It is contemplated that the support apparatus of the present invention may be used with any type of applicator assembly whether it be the roller type, thefelt type, or any combination thereof.

Maintaining the applicator assembly 5 in spaced relationship with the electrically heated bushing 2 is support apparatus 7. The support apparatus 7 comprises a stationary support angle 8, a movable mounting block 9, and a hydraulically actuated moving means 10. The stationary support angle 8 includes a widened area 8- at its lower end, the purpose of which will be described later, and is secured at its upper end to plate 11 by two bolts 12. The plate 11 has previously been attached, for example, by welding, to the sidewall of the glass melting furnace or forehearth -1.

The movable mounting block 9 includes a vertical portion 13 to which the applicator assembly 5 attaches. One factor in the application of binder or sizing materials to the glass fibers 4 is that a binder or sizing material is applied uniformly. In order for the binder or sizing material to be applied uniformly to the glass fibers 4, the applicator roll 6, or whatever type applicator a particular applicator assembly might utilize, must be maintained in a horizontally level condition so that the binder or sizing material will spread uniformly across the surface of the applicator roll 6. The technique shown in FIG. 1 of the present invention for securing the applicator 5 to the vertical portion 13 of the movable mounting block 9 provides a leveling adjustment for the applicator assembly 5 by providing for rotation of the applicator assembly about a horizontal axis. The applicator assembly 5 is supported on support pin 14 which is centrally located on the vertical portion 13 of the movable mounting block 9. The applicator assembly 5 is secured to the movable mounting block 9 by two bolts 15 screwed into the vertical portion 13 of the movable mounting block 9 at locations spaced vertically on either side of the support pin 14. The bolts 15 pass through curved slots 16 which are provided in the applicator assembly 5 to allow for horizontal leveling adjustment of the applicator assembly 5.

The movable mounting block 9 further comprises a horizontal portion 17 which is attached to the hydraulically actuated lowering and raising means 10. The lowering and raising means comprises a hydraulic cylinder 18 mounted on a support block 19 which is secured to the widened area 8 of stationary support angle 8. The hydraulic cylinder 18 includes a rectangular base (20 which rests on top of the support 19 block and is secured to the support 19 block by four nut and bolt combinations 2'1. 'I'hehydraulic'cylindcr'1 8 is 'enclosed'andself-contained. It includes no exposed operating parts which could be adversely affected by the abrasive nature of the glass fibers 4 and the binder or. sizing material, such as would be the case with, for example, an exposed chain or cable and pulley system. The hydraulic cylinder 18 comprises a piston 22, .as seen in FIG. 2, and a piston rod 23 which extends through a centrally located vertical hole in the support block 19 and also through a vertical hole in the horizontal portion 17 of the movable mounting block 9 positioned directly below the support block 19. The lower extremity 23' of the piston rod 23 is threaded and reduced in diameter to create a shoulder with piston rod 23 against which the horizontal portion 17 of the movable mounting block 9 may be secured by nut 24.

With the movable mounting block 9 secured to piston rod 23, downward movement of the piston 22 and the piston rod 23 under the force of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder 18 lowers the movable mounting block 9 and, therefore, the applicator assembly 5 since the hydraulic cylinder 18 is immovably secured to the stationary 0 support angle 8 by the support block 19. The hydraulic cylinder 18 is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder which is supplied with hydraulic fluid from an external source (not shown) through a valve 25. The hydraulic cylinder 18 responds to the force of hydraulic fluid such that, depending upon the positioning of the valve 25, hydraulic fluid may be inserted into the upper end of cylinder 18 to force piston 22 downward or may be inserted into the lower end of cylinder 18 to force piston 22 upward. If desired, the valve 25 may be a three-way valve which would allow hydraulic fluid to be inserted into both the upper end and the lower end of cylinder 18 to immobilize piston 22 and, therefore, stop the movable mounting block 9 and the applicator assembly 5 at any predetermined position. Although the downward and upward movement of the applicator assembly 5 is shown in the drawings as being verticle, it will be understood that this movement need not be strictly verticle, but may, for example, be in plane oblique to verticle depending on the orientation of the hydraulic cylinder 18.

Rotation of the applicator assembly 5 about a vertical axis for the purpose of removing it from alignment with the hot bushing 2 and the fiber-winding apparatus (not shown) will involve rotation of the applicator assembly 5 about the axis of the piston 22 and the piston rod 23. Rotation about this axis may be accomplished in a number of ways, the most preferred being simply allowing the piston 22 and the piston rod 23 to rotate freely within the hydraulic cylinder 18. Other conceivable ways include rotating the movable mounting block 9 in relation to the piston rod 23 and rotating the entire hydraulic cylinder 18.

The means for stopping an'd'accurately locating the applicator assembly 5 in its operating position as shown in FIG. 3 comprises a stop block 26 having an upwardly directed, V-shaped notch 27 and secured to the movable mounting block 9 by bolts 28, and a rectangular block 29 secured to the support block 19 in alignment with the V-shaped notch 27 of stop block 26. The rectangular block 29 engages the inclined sidewalls of the V-shaped notch 27 as the movable mounting block 9 and the applicator assembly 5 are being raised causing very slight rotation of the piston 22 and the piston rod 23 about their 'vertical axis to properly orientate the applicator assembly 5 with the bushing 2. The rectangular block 29 further engages the square bottom of the upwardly directed V- shaped notch 27 to stop the upward movement of the movable mounting block 9 and the applicator assembly 5 precisely in the operating position. The rectangular block 29 is secured to the support block 19 by bolts 30 through slots 31 in the rectangular block 29. The slots 31 in the rectangular block 29 permit vertical adjustment of the rectangular block 29 to provide vertical adjustment of the operating position :of the applicator assembly 5 as circumstances require. i

In order toprovide rotation of, the applicator assembly 5 about a second horizontal axis, perpendicular to the previously mentioned horizontal axis'for the purpose of regulating the effective contact between the applicator roll 6 and the individual glass fibers 4, the supportblock 19 upon which the hydraulic cylinder 18 is mounted has been made rotatable, to a limited degree, in relation to the stationary support angle 8..As shown in FIG. 4, the support block 19 is mounted to the widened area 8' of the stationary support angle 8 by means of a centrally located support pin 32 and fourmounting bolts 33 arranged in a rectangular pattern surrounding the central mounting pin 32. Radially curved slots 34 in the widened portion 8' of the stationary support angle 8 and through which the bolts 33 pass before being threaded into the support block 19 allow for rotational movement of the support block 19 in relation to the stationary support angle 8 about the centrally located support pin 32. Rotation of the support block 19 about the support pin 32 is transmitted to the applicator assembly 5 via the piston rod 23 and the movable mounting block 9 and provides the desired control over the degree of contact between the applicator roll 6 and the individual glass fibers 4. This rotation, coupled with rotation about the first horizontal axis as previously described, provides for the universal positioning of the applicator assembly 5 to insure the desired distribution of hinder or sizing material across the applicator assembly 5 and the desired contact between the applicator assembly 5 and the glass fibers 4.

In operation, the preferred embodiment of the present invention performs in the following manner. With the applicator assembly 5 in its operating position as shown in FIG. 1 and in the solid line view of FIG. 2, hydraulic fluid is being introduced into the hydraulic cylinder 18 via the valve 25 either at its lower end or at both its upper and its lower end to immobilize the piston 22 in a position which maintains the applicator assembly 5 in its operating position. In order to remove the applicator assembly from its operating position to a nonoperating position accessible to an operator, the valve 25 is adjusted to introduce fluid into the hydraulic cylinder 18 only at its upper end, thereby causing the piston 22 and the piston rod 23 to be forced downward carrying with them the movable mounting block 9 and the applicator assembly 5 to a position approximately 4 to 5 feet above the floor level of the working area. The applicator assembly 5 and the movable mounting block 9 are rotated about the vertical axis of the piston 22 and the piston rod 23 during the lowering operation to a position as shown in the phantom view of- FIG. 2, to move the applicator assembly 5 out of alignment with the bushing 2 and the fiber-winding apparatus (not shown) located directly below the bushing 2. Rotation is possible since the piston 22 and the piston rod 23 are capable of rotating within the hydraulic cylinder 18. Following servicing, the valve 25 is adjusted to introduce hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinder 18 at its lower end only. As a result, the piston 22 and the piston rod 23 are forced upward, carrying with them the movable mounting block 9 and the applicator assembly 5. Concurrently, the applicator assembly 5 is rotated back into alignment with the bushing 2 and the fiber-winding apparatus. As the upward movement of the piston 22 and the piston rod 23 carry the applicator assembly 5 toward its operating position, the V-shaped notch 27 of the stop block 26 secured to the movable mounting block 9 moves into engagement with the rectangular block 29 to orient and stop the applicator assembly 5 in its operating position, as previously described. With the applicator assembly 5 again in its operating position, an adjustment may be performed to level the applicator assembly 5 horizontally by loosening the bolts securing the applicator assembly 5 to the movable mounting block 9 and rotating the applicator assembly '5 about the support 'pin' 14 to insure proper horizontal levelness of the applicator assembly; A further adjustment may be made to regulate proper contact between the applicator roll 6 and the individual glass fibers 4 by loosening the bolts 33 securing the support block 19 upon which the hydraulic cylinder 18 is mountedto the stationary support member 8 and rotating the support block 19, the hydraulic cylinder 18, the movable mounting block 9, and the applicator assembly 5 about the support pin 32 to adjust the degree of contact between the applicator roll 6 and the individual glass fibers 4.

What I claim is:

'1.- Apparatus comprising:

(a) an applicator assembly for applying fluid material to glass fibers,

(b) a stationary support frame,

(c) a movable mounting block on which the applicator assembly is mounted;

(d) means secured to the stationary support frame for mechanically lowering the movable mounting block and the applicator assembly from an operating position high above the floor level of the glass fiber-forming area to a nonoperating position accessible to an operator and for raising the applicator assembly to return it to its operating position;

(e) means to stop the upward movement of the applicator assembly and accurately locate the applicator assembly in its operating position; and

(f) means to adjust the applicator assembly about two horizontal axes perpendicular to each other to universally position the applicator assembly for the desired distribution of the fluid material across the applicator assembly and the desired contact between the applicator assembly and the glass fibers.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means to stop and accurately locate the applicator assembly comprises a stop block secured to the movable mounting block and having an upwardly directed, V-shaped notch and a rectangular block secured to the stationary support frame such that the rectangular block engages the upwardly directed, V-shaped notch of the stop block to stop and accurately locate the applicator assembly.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for lowering and raising the applicator assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means to lower and raise the applicator assembly includes means permitting rotation of the applicator assembly vertical axis.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the means to lower and raise the applicator assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder including a cylindrical casing secured to the stationary support frame, a piston movable within the cylindrical casing, and a piston rod attached to the piston at one end and supporting the movable sup port block at its opposite end and the means permitting rotation of the applicator assembly comprises the piston and piston rod which are rotatable within the cylindrical casing.

6. A method of positioning an applicator assembly for supplying fluid material to glass fibers for servicing the applicator assembly comprising:

(a) mechanically lowering the applicator assembly from an operating position high above the floor level of a glass fiber forming area to a nonoperating position accessible to an operator;

(b) rotating the applicator assembly about two horizontal axes perpendicular to each other to adjust the applicator to effect the desired distribution of the fluid material across the applicator assembly and the desired contact between the applicator assembly and the glass fibers being produced; and

(c) mechanically raising and guiding the applicator assembly subsequent to servicing, to a stop means so that said assembly is accurately located in its operating position.

7. A method according to claim 6, including providing a hydraulic cylinder to mechanically lower and raise the applicator assembly.

8. A method according to claim 6, including rotating the applicator assembly about a vertical axis while in its nonoperating position to further simplify servicing of the applicator assembly.

9. A method according to claim 8, including providing a hydraulic cylinder which comprises a cylinder casing, a piston and a piston rod to mechanically lower and raise the applicator assembly and rotating the piston and the piston rod within the cylinder casing to effect rotation of applicator assembly about a vertical axis.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,334,980 8/1967 Smith 652 5 2,728,972 1/1956 Drummond et a1. 118-234 2,300,736 11/1942 Slayter et a1 65-2 3,407,784 10/1968 Hitt et a1. 118-234 3,498,263 3/ 1970 Toledo et a1 118--234 10 S. LEON BASHORE, Primary Examiner R. PACE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

